New Ulm weekly review., 1887-03-23
AVED HIS ENEMY.

COuIGou 1SdDSllb O1CTAleS. DArK,
/ gloomy and taciturn was he; she,
young and bright. Girl-like, she CO.
| quetted with him as with others, but
he felt sure OF possessing herheart. To
the surprise of all, ahe eloped with and
married the young and almost penni-
less Adolph Navara.
The forsaken lover retired to his es-
tates, shut himself up in his lonely
mansion, and would see no one.
Ramona Vasquez, his best friend,
the only man who could influence
him, visited and pointed out to Comes
the unmanly part which he vas act
ing, the duties he was neglecting, the
suffering he was causing those depend
ent upon him, and at last won him
from his retirement, caused by dis
appointment which could not now be
remedied, and he again took up the
concerns of business.
When told that Isabella Navarro
| had been blessed by the birth of a
daughter, "May Heaven smile upon
her!' he said, but the name of the
| father was never mentioned.
Then came the insurrection OF
Cuba. Adolph Navara became COM
| mander of the so-called rebels. Comes
| joined the volunteers under the Sran-
ish flag as captain OF a company, and
Raymond Vasquez was his lieutenant.
| His friend was satisfied that Comes
! had not joined the volunteers so much
from regard to the mother country as
from hatred to the man who had won
his lady. His hope was now that the
| chances Of war might bring him face
to face with his successful rival. At
mention OF Navara's name his dark
eyes would gleam with fend-like fire.
He did his duty we'll and bravely;
his name was held in high repute in
Spanish headquarters Promotion
was often offered him, but as often re-
| fused.
By day and by night no command
er was so eager and relentless in the
persistent pursuit and fearful punish
ment Of rebels as Comes. He and his
men were pitiless, and consented to or
took part in cruelties that will ehame
| the Spanish name while the memory
| OF them exists. But so far he had not
met Navarro, and his disappointment
was great.
One day in the gray OF the morning,
! the volunteer camp was entered by a
spy, who informed the officers that
he had traced a rebel officer to farm
house about mile distant. The vol
unteers, Comes and Vasquez in COM
| mand, instantly marched to the
| place; the house was surrounded and
search was commenced, fast and furi-
Gus.
No opposition was offered. The Of
fcers remained outside. Soon the
| fellow who had given the information
emerged from the house bearing in his
arms crying child. After him, with
| tottering limbs and face blanched with
| terror, came lady.
"Spare, for the love of the Holy Vir-
gin, spare my child!'' was her piteous
prayer.
Thevolunteerst threatened to impale
it upon their bayonets unless she con.
fessed where the rebel was hidden.
"My child! My child! Do as you will
with me, only spare my child!" was
her unceasing cry. No question would
she answer.
The bayonets were fixed and point.
ed the infant raised high in the arms
| OF brawny rufian, who stood as if
ready to hurl it upon the death-deal-
Ing points; still the mother pleaded,
yet nothing would she reply to the re-
peated question, which, answered,
would save the life OF her child.
~ will count nine" quoth = grim
sergeant, "and then if you do not
lead US to the hiding place of the rebel,
your child shall surely die"
He began to count slowly. She still
pleaded. She did not believe that
men could perpetrate a deed so cruel.
From one face to the other shelooked
as if to catch some kindly glance with
which to endorse her hope.
At last her eye fell upon the visage
OF Captain Comes, as with a dark
scowl he gazed upon her. Trembling,
greaning, well-nlgh swo coming, she sank
to the ground, feeling that she could ex-
pect neither pity nor mercy from him
for the wife and child ofAdolph Navara.
lcS, ~ was 1SdD0llb L6rS6ll GlaG ne
looked upon; his hated rival and all
that were precious to him were at his
mercy. ~
Diego Comes day of terrible ven
geance had come; he had only to re-
main silent, and retaliation fearful
retaliation-for all that he had suffer
ed was within his grasp.
He returned to Lieutenant Vasquez.
"You must command here" he said,
in a husky voice, "but save the child
and spare the mother. =
''Put down the child" he command
ed the soldier, then turned and walked
away.
The lady clasped the little one 10
her breast, and looked, with fearless,
starting eyes, after the captain, as if
doubtful yet OF his kindness. Inlmov-
able she stood; till, seeing the soldiers
firing the frame house at it's four cor
nerS she fall and twrithed mon tho